Asthma is increasingly recognised as a heterogeneous disease, with several phenotypes defined by clinical and inflammatory characteristics. Common phenotypes include allergic (eosinophilic, IgE-mediated), non-allergic (often neutrophilic or paucigranulocytic), late-onset adult asthma, obesity-associated asthma, and asthma with persistent airflow limitation.14 Identifying phenotypes supports individualised treatment strategies, particularly in those with severe asthma, and better long-term outcomes.
Steps 2 and 3: Maintenance and reliever therapy (MART)
Comorbid conditions can complicate asthma management. Assess for and help address factors such as allergic rhinitis, which affects up to 80% of people with asthma,24 as well as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), anxiety, depression, obstructive sleep apnoea and smoking.
Battling social media misinformation around sunscreen
Sunscreen myths are thriving on social media. An expert explains the evidence-based recommendations to help pharmacists combat misinformation.
Famciclovir fundamentals
When pharmacists should and shouldn't prescribe famciclovir as a Schedule 3 antiviral treatment for cold sores.
As medicinal cannabis prescriptions climb, does the evidence hold up?
Medicinal cannabis prescribing in Australia has risen sharply in recent years, with the TGA recording thousands of approvals each month.
Breaking down barriers to emergency contraception
Almost two decades after the emergency contraceptive pill was listed as a Schedule 3 medicine, women still face myriad barriers to access. Pharmacists can help break down these barriers and empower women when it comes to their reproductive health.
Vic lockdowns impact essential medication review services
With COVID-19 outbreaks in one in four Victorian residential aged care facilities, many older people are at risk not only from the pandemic, but from a lack of medicine safety.
Highs and lows of life as a locum pharmacist
Travelling the country. Choosing your own hours. Meeting new people. These are just a few of the reasons pharmacists choose to quit their day job and hit the road as a locum.
